JAKARTA - A wave of cell phone thefts in London has revealed a unique phenomenon: thieves are apparently targeting only iPhones. They are so selective that they openly reject other brands.
This reckless act of snatching phones from victims has long been known as "Apple picking." It seems the term holds true—thieves prefer Apple devices over other brands.
In London, this trend is becoming increasingly apparent. Theft cases are on the rise, and criminals appear to be specifically targeting iPhone owners, not just anyone holding a phone.
According to a report by London Centric, this has even left Android users with mixed feelings.
One victim, Mark, experienced a shocking incident when his phone was snatched by a thief riding an e-bike in front of his office. When he saw the thief stop and examine his phone, Mark had no idea what happened next.
"I saw him stop, look at my phone, then throw it on the floor. He ran away," Mark told London Centric. He retrieved his phone, which—fortunately—was completely undamaged.
“It feels like being rejected. Poor my phone,” he joked, a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance.
However, not all cases have a humorous ending. In January 2025, Sam experienced a brutal robbery outside a Royal Mail depot. Eight men attacked him and stole all his valuables.
As the gang was about to flee, one of them returned… only to return his phone.
“Don’t want no Samsung,” the perpetrator said before leaving.
The reason is clear: iPhones have a much higher resale value on both the black market and the second-hand market. Once they’re willing to risk committing a crime, thieves choose the most profitable item.
While the Metropolitan Police and City of London don’t maintain official records on the percentage of iPhone vs. Android thefts, security experts and Android users acknowledge this trend is becoming more pronounced.
Simon, another potential victim, recounted how one perpetrator politely turned him down. A friendly man approached him and asked if he had Spotify. Simon assumed the man was a local musician wanting to show off his music.
When Simon pulled out his phone—a Samsung Galaxy—the man’s interest quickly dissipated and he simply walked away. It was only then that Simon realized he had nearly been robbed.
This phenomenon demonstrates one undeniable fact on London's streets: even thieves have preferences, and the choice is clear—iPhone or nothing.
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